Frank Ferrante, Hub Landscape and Seascape Painter, Creates Painting for City of NSB 250th Anniversary
Frank Ferrante has many interests, but he has always been passionate about the sea and about oil painting. As a landscape and seascape oil painter and teacher at The Hub on Canal, Frank is able to combine his loves and his talents, creating bold intense images of life near or on the sea. New Smyrna Beach provides an endless array of subjects; through its rich colorful history, its beautiful beaches, and the many stories about life in an old Florida beach town.
In 2011 Frank moved from New Jersey to Volusia County where he found The Hub on Canal, and became a Hub studio painter and teacher. To this day visitors can find Frank Ferrante painting in his studio near the front door, creating his bold beautiful paintings every day of the week.
Last summer Frank learned of the city’s upcoming 250th birthday and resolved to commemorate this momentous event in his only style of celebration- an oil painting that he and The Hub on Canal would present to the City of New Smyrna Beach as a gift. As Frank sought potential subjects for his painting, a historical New Smyrna Beach landmark came up again and again: Feger’s Seafood. Many fondly remembered the landmark as the only place to buy fresh-off-the-boat seafood in New Smyrna Beach.
After conducting research on the landmark itself, Frank began painting the large 48” x 60” canvas in his studio. During the subsequent three-month period, locals and visitors stopped by to watch its progress. “I spoke with so many people who remembered the sight and in almost all cases, were very sad that it no longer exists,” said Ferrante. “I became more and more aware of the impact that this location had on so many residents… fascinated and anxious to hear of their recollection and personal story regarding Fegers.”
The painting will be presented to the City of New Smyrna Beach as part of its 250th Anniversary on January 9, 2018 at the regular City Commission meeting at City Hall in New Smyrna Beach. It will be displayed in the City Hall Commission Chambers, 210 Sams Avenue, New Smyrna Beach. The Hub on Canal will also be producing 50 limited edition prints that will be for sale after its presentation to the City of New Smyrna Beach.
Written by Vicki White